Caprica

According to the poster below, the future of humanity begins with a choice.

Evidently, it also gets promoted with a topless star.

Sy Fy has released its latest promotional ad for the Battlestar Galactica prequel, Caprica. Unlike its serious, dramatic predecessor, Caprica appears to be going for a lighter, sexier tone.

How else can one interpret this poster, which features Alessandra Torresani, topless, as her character of Zoe Graystone?

Caprica will premiere on January 22 with a two-hour episode.

Peter Wingfield is coming to Caprica.

The actor, who was last seen on American television as David Emerson on 24, told fans his website that he’s joining the SyFy seres as Gara Singh, director of the Global Defense Department. The character is the boss Jordan Duram, the GDD agent played by Brian Markins.

Rejoice, Buffy the Vampire Slayer fans!

James Marsters has signed on for a sizable role on Caprica.

The actor - who has appeared on Smallville and Saving Grace, but is best known as Spike from the aforementioned Joss Whedon series - will portray a terrorist leader named Barnabus Greeley on Caprica. He'll appear in a minimum of three episodes.

The Battlestar Galactica prequel debuts on SyFy on January 22.

Patton Oswalt has nabbed a recurring role on Caprica, the upcoming Battlestar Galactica prequel that debuts on SyFy in 2010.

The actor has appeared on United States of Tara and Reno 911!.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Oswalt will portray Baxter Sarno, a popular talk show host on whose program Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz) and Amanda Graystone (Paula Malcomson) appear.

Caprica is currently in production in Vancouver.

It won't premiere until January 22, but the buzz around Caprica is starting to grow.

This Battlestar Galactica prequel will anchor the SyFy network in 2010, and Esai Morales spoke about his character at last month's Comic-Con festival.

As the father of Edward James Olmos' Admiral Adama, does the actor feel pressure to live up to a character already beloved by fans?

"Absolutely," Morales said. "We know he was a lawyer. We know that he was a big part of his son's makeup, of what forged his character, and it's good to hear that, now that the show is being made, people are starting to see glimpses of that strength. Again, my job is not limited to leading up to Mr. Olmos' portrayal of William Adama, but you will see a lot of what makes him up."

Morales - who has appeared in Burn Notice and had a three-year run on NYPD Blue - wouldn't reveal a lot more about Joseph Adama.

He simply said "he is going to go through a real neoclassic Greek tragedy arc."

Circle January 22 on your calendar, Battlestar Galactica fans.

That's the date on which Caprica - the much-hyped prequel to the aforementioned iconic series - will premiere.

Caprica takes place more than 50 years before the events of Battlestar Galactica. Its pilot episode, which is actually already available on DVD, will run for two hours.

In the new show, Eric Stoltz and Esai Morales (pictured) star as the heads of two rival families. It's executive produced by Battlestar Galactica's Ronald D. Moore, David Eick and Jane Espenson.

As it waits to officially premiere this winter (the pilot episode is already available on DVD), Caprica is seeking a few actors to fill out its cast.

In its lasting casting notice, the Battlestar Galactica prequel is seeking an actor to take on the recurring role of Baxter Sarno. This character will host a weekly talk show host.

Here's a look at the complete notice. Do any actors come to mind for the role?

The star of "Backtalk With Baxter Sarno," he's a very bright talk show host similar to Letterman or Leno, but with the political intelligence of Jon Stewart and a retro feel that could belong to Dick Cavett or Jack Paar. He is seen delivering his nightly monologue on the topical events of the day.

Don't worry. For those that have yet to watch the series premiere on DVD, this scarcely qualifies as a Caprica spoiler.

Sasha Roiz has been upgraded to series regular on the Sci Fi show, which will officially launch in the fall.

The actor guest-starred in the pilot as Sam Adama, brother of lead Joseph Adama (Esai Morales).

While many have chosen to watch Caprica when it premieres in the fall, some have already viewed the series premiere on DVD.

The following spoiler applies to the latter group of viewers.

A reader wrote in to E! Online this week, gave props to actress Paula Malcolmson and then asked when Amanda will find out about Zoe.

For the answer, we turn to the Caprica star herself:

"She's not going learn early. I think there's just too much payoff if you let it hang out there - I mean, the betrayal, it's just going to be massive," Malcolmson said.

In the fall, Caprica officially debuts on the Sci-Fi Channel.

But enthusiastic Battlestar Galactica fans - the new show is a prequel, set 50 years prior to the events that kick start that series - can pick up a copy of the first Caprica episode on DVD right now.

In the clip below, which is a deleted scene from the premiere, Joseph Adama (Esai Morales) argues with his mother over his family history and Tauron origins.

Overall, Caprica focuses on a pair families, the Graystones and the Adamas. They live on a supposedly peaceful planet... until a major breakthrough in artificial intelligence brings about unforeseen, dangerous consequences.

We'll certainly be tuning in for it this fall. Will you?